Incident details
Operator, cause, commodity and consequences with raw source fields.
GD incident on 2018-03-22 — NV
Operator
Nv Energy
Cause
Excavation Issue
Commodity
Natural Gas
Program
GD
Damage and Injuries
0 fatalities
0 injuries
Property damage (nominal)
$20
Incident datetime
2018-03-22 20:25
Report number
Location
NV, WASHOE
Narrative
On march 22, 2018 at 20:17, the reno fire department was notified of a building fire at 624 eureka avenue in reno, nevada. At 20:25 nv energy (nve) was contacted by the city of reno public safety dispatch notifying of a "working fire" at 624 eureka avenue in reno, nevada. Nve gas dispatch sends gas servicemen to investigate. At 20:51 the city of reno public safety dispatch contacted nve again to report that there was an explosion at this location, possibly from the furnace. At 21:02 the first nve personnel arrive at the site and found the home at 624 eureka ave damaged by what appeared to be a gas explosion with indications of underground gas readings. Reno fire department and nve personnel evacuate the neighborhood and monitor gas concentrations while other nve personnel expose the service tee and secure the gas leak. The leak occurred at the threaded joint between a 3/4" black iron pipe nipple and a 3/4" black iron 90 degree elbow at the service tee connection to 614 eureka avenue. Based upon the reno fire department incident report, natural gas leaking from the service tee appears to have traveled through a service trench into the basement of 624 eureka. The leaking gas was ignited in the basement by the furnace, exploded, and damaged the home. Two individuals were in the residence at the time of the explosion but no injuries were sustained. The cause of the failure is still under investigation and a supplemental report will be filed when the cause is determined. At 22:36 the nve duty supervisor on scene determined that the property damage costs would exceed $50,000. The initial notification to the national response center (nrc) was made at 22:49 and was given nrc incident report # 1207485. Nve provided an update to the nrc on march 23, 2018 at 15:44 and was given nrc incident report # 1207546. Supplemental update: further analysis has determined that the pipe-to-elbow joint failed due to overload from an external bending load and not due to a material or manufacturing defect associated with the pipes or fittings. The external bending load at the failed pipe-to-elbow joint occurred as a result of loading imparted to this joint during compaction around the temporary service connection. Nv energy's contractor was performing backfill and compaction activities on this temporary service connection one day prior to the incident occurring. Final update: analysis has concluded and the incident was caused by a leak from a crack in the black iron pipe used for the temporary service connection for the neighboring property 614 eureka avenue. The gas migrated into the basement of the incident house where it found an ignition source, most likely the house furnace. The direct cause of the crack in the pipe was mechanical overloading of the horizontal section of the temporary service connection. The mechanical overloading was likely caused during compaction of sand around the temporary service connection, due to insufficient cover (sand above the pipe) during compaction.
Detailed record list
Occurred At
2018-03-22 20:25:00
Year
2018
Report Received Date
2018-04-19 00:00:00
Iyear
2018.0
Report Number
20180043.0
Supplemental Number
31394.0
Report Type
Supplemental Final
Operator Id
18308
Name
Nv Energy
Operator Street Address
Po Box 10100
Operator City Name
Reno Washoe
Operator State Abbreviation
NV
Operator Postal Code
89520
Local Datetime
2018-03-22 20:17:00
Location Street Address
624 Eureka Avenue
Location City Name
Reno
Location County Name
Washoe
Location State Abbreviation
NV
Location Postal Code
89512
Location Latitude
39.534873
Location Longitude
-119.804895
Nrc Rpt Datetime
2018-03-22 22:49:00
Nrc Rpt Num
1207485
Commodity Released Type
Natural Gas
Unintentional Release
54.0
Fatality Ind
No
Fatal
0
Injury Ind
No
Injure
0
Ignite Ind
Yes
Explode Ind
Yes
Num Pub Evacuated
30.0
Incident Identified Datetime
2018-03-22 20:25:00
On Site Datetime
2018-03-22 21:02:00
Federal
No
Location Type
Public Property
Incident Area Type
Underground
Incident Area Subtype
Under Pavement
Depth Of Cover
20.0
Crossing
No
Pipe Facility Type
Investor Owned
System Part Involved
Service
Installation Year
2018.0
Pipe Diameter
0.75
Pipe Specification
Astm A197 & Astm A53
Pipe Manufacturer
Unknown
Material Involved
Other
Material Details
Black Iron
Release Type
Leak
Leak Type
Connection Failure
Class Location Type
Class 3 Location
Est Cost Oper Paid
322526.0
Est Cost Prop Damage
20.0
Est Cost Emergency
25646.0
Est Cost Other
4500.0
Est Cost Other Details
Compensation For Evacuees
Est Cost Unintentional Release
261.0
Prpty
352953.0
Commercial Affected
0.0
Industrial Affected
0.0
Residences Affected
1.0
Accident Psig
37.0
Normal Psig
37.0
Mop Psig
40.0
Accident Pressure
Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop
Scada In Place Ind
No
Accident Identifier
Notification From Emergency Responder
Investigation Status
No, the facility was not monitored by a controller(s) at the time of the incident
Employee Drug Test Ind
No
Contractor Drug Test Ind
No
Cause
Excavation Damage
Cause Details
Excavation Damage By Operator's Contractor (Second Party)
Ex Party Type
Excavation Damage By Operator's Contractor (Second Party)
Notify Cga Dirt
No
Public Row Ind
Yes
Public Subtype
City Street
Excavator Type
Contractor
Excavator Equipment
Unknown/other
Work Performed
Natural Gas
One Call Notified Ind
Yes
One Call Ticket Num
802900026
Locator Type
Contract Locator
Visible Marks
Yes
Service Interruption
Yes
Service Interruption Hours
14.0
Root Cause Category
Excavation Issue
Root Cause Type
Improper Backfilling Practices
Preparer Name
J** W******
Preparer Title
Manager Gas Ops And Compliance
Preparer Email
J*******@n*******.com
Preparer Telephone
775-834-7850
Authorizer Name
J** W******
Authorizer Title
Manager Gas Ops And Compliance
Authorizer Telephone
775-834-7850
Authorizer Email
J*******@n*******.com
Narrative
On march 22, 2018 at 20:17, the reno fire department was notified of a building fire at 624 eureka avenue in reno, nevada. At 20:25 nv energy (nve) was contacted by the city of reno public safety dispatch notifying of a "working fire" at 624 eureka avenue in reno, nevada. Nve gas dispatch sends gas servicemen to investigate. At 20:51 the city of reno public safety dispatch contacted nve again to report that there was an explosion at this location, possibly from the furnace. At 21:02 the first nve personnel arrive at the site and found the home at 624 eureka ave damaged by what appeared to be a gas explosion with indications of underground gas readings. Reno fire department and nve personnel evacuate the neighborhood and monitor gas concentrations while other nve personnel expose the service tee and secure the gas leak. The leak occurred at the threaded joint between a 3/4" black iron pipe nipple and a 3/4" black iron 90 degree elbow at the service tee connection to 614 eureka avenue. Based upon the reno fire department incident report, natural gas leaking from the service tee appears to have traveled through a service trench into the basement of 624 eureka. The leaking gas was ignited in the basement by the furnace, exploded, and damaged the home. Two individuals were in the residence at the time of the explosion but no injuries were sustained. The cause of the failure is still under investigation and a supplemental report will be filed when the cause is determined. At 22:36 the nve duty supervisor on scene determined that the property damage costs would exceed $50,000. The initial notification to the national response center (nrc) was made at 22:49 and was given nrc incident report # 1207485. Nve provided an update to the nrc on march 23, 2018 at 15:44 and was given nrc incident report # 1207546. Supplemental update: further analysis has determined that the pipe-to-elbow joint failed due to overload from an external bending load and not due to a material or manufacturing defect associated with the pipes or fittings. The external bending load at the failed pipe-to-elbow joint occurred as a result of loading imparted to this joint during compaction around the temporary service connection. Nv energy's contractor was performing backfill and compaction activities on this temporary service connection one day prior to the incident occurring. Final update: analysis has concluded and the incident was caused by a leak from a crack in the black iron pipe used for the temporary service connection for the neighboring property 614 eureka avenue. The gas migrated into the basement of the incident house where it found an ignition source, most likely the house furnace. The direct cause of the crack in the pipe was mechanical overloading of the horizontal section of the temporary service connection. The mechanical overloading was likely caused during compaction of sand around the temporary service connection, due to insufficient cover (sand above the pipe) during compaction.
| Occurred At | 2018-03-22 20:25:00 |
|---|---|
| Year | 2018 |
| Report Received Date | 2018-04-19 00:00:00 |
| Iyear | 2018.0 |
| Report Number | 20180043.0 |
| Supplemental Number | 31394.0 |
| Report Type | Supplemental Final |
| Operator Id | 18308 PHMSA Enforcement |
| Name | Nv Energy |
| Operator Street Address | Po Box 10100 |
| Operator City Name | Reno Washoe |
| Operator State Abbreviation | NV |
| Operator Postal Code | 89520 |
| Local Datetime | 2018-03-22 20:17:00 |
| Location Street Address | 624 Eureka Avenue |
| Location City Name | Reno |
| Location County Name | Washoe |
| Location State Abbreviation | NV |
| Location Postal Code | 89512 |
| Location Latitude | 39.534873 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Location Longitude | -119.804895 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Nrc Rpt Datetime | 2018-03-22 22:49:00 |
| Nrc Rpt Num | 1207485 NRC Report How to search |
| Commodity Released Type | Natural Gas |
| Unintentional Release | 54.0 |
| Fatality Ind | No |
| Fatal | 0 |
| Injury Ind | No |
| Injure | 0 |
| Ignite Ind | Yes |
| Explode Ind | Yes |
| Num Pub Evacuated | 30.0 |
| Incident Identified Datetime | 2018-03-22 20:25:00 |
| On Site Datetime | 2018-03-22 21:02:00 |
| Federal | No |
| Location Type | Public Property |
| Incident Area Type | Underground |
| Incident Area Subtype | Under Pavement |
| Depth Of Cover | 20.0 |
| Crossing | No |
| Pipe Facility Type | Investor Owned |
| System Part Involved | Service |
| Installation Year | 2018.0 |
| Pipe Diameter | 0.75 |
| Pipe Specification | Astm A197 & Astm A53 |
| Pipe Manufacturer | Unknown |
| Material Involved | Other |
| Material Details | Black Iron |
| Release Type | Leak |
| Leak Type | Connection Failure |
| Class Location Type | Class 3 Location |
| Est Cost Oper Paid | 322526.0 |
| Est Cost Prop Damage | 20.0 |
| Est Cost Emergency | 25646.0 |
| Est Cost Other | 4500.0 |
| Est Cost Other Details | Compensation For Evacuees |
| Est Cost Unintentional Release | 261.0 |
| Prpty | 352953.0 |
| Commercial Affected | 0.0 |
| Industrial Affected | 0.0 |
| Residences Affected | 1.0 |
| Accident Psig | 37.0 |
| Normal Psig | 37.0 |
| Mop Psig | 40.0 |
| Accident Pressure | Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop |
| Scada In Place Ind | No |
| Accident Identifier | Notification From Emergency Responder |
| Investigation Status | No, the facility was not monitored by a controller(s) at the time of the incident |
| Employee Drug Test Ind | No |
| Contractor Drug Test Ind | No |
| Cause | Excavation Damage |
| Cause Details | Excavation Damage By Operator's Contractor (Second Party) |
| Ex Party Type | Excavation Damage By Operator's Contractor (Second Party) |
| Notify Cga Dirt | No |
| Public Row Ind | Yes |
| Public Subtype | City Street |
| Excavator Type | Contractor |
| Excavator Equipment | Unknown/other |
| Work Performed | Natural Gas |
| One Call Notified Ind | Yes |
| One Call Ticket Num | 802900026 |
| Locator Type | Contract Locator |
| Visible Marks | Yes |
| Service Interruption | Yes |
| Service Interruption Hours | 14.0 |
| Root Cause Category | Excavation Issue |
| Root Cause Type | Improper Backfilling Practices |
| Preparer Name | J** W****** |
| Preparer Title | Manager Gas Ops And Compliance |
| Preparer Email | J*******@n*******.com |
| Preparer Telephone | 775-834-7850 |
| Authorizer Name | J** W****** |
| Authorizer Title | Manager Gas Ops And Compliance |
| Authorizer Telephone | 775-834-7850 |
| Authorizer Email | J*******@n*******.com |
| Narrative | On march 22, 2018 at 20:17, the reno fire department was notified of a building fire at 624 eureka avenue in reno, nevada. At 20:25 nv energy (nve) was contacted by the city of reno public safety dispatch notifying of a "working fire" at 624 eureka avenue in reno, nevada. Nve gas dispatch sends gas servicemen to investigate. At 20:51 the city of reno public safety dispatch contacted nve again to report that there was an explosion at this location, possibly from the furnace. At 21:02 the first nve personnel arrive at the site and found the home at 624 eureka ave damaged by what appeared to be a gas explosion with indications of underground gas readings. Reno fire department and nve personnel evacuate the neighborhood and monitor gas concentrations while other nve personnel expose the service tee and secure the gas leak. The leak occurred at the threaded joint between a 3/4" black iron pipe nipple and a 3/4" black iron 90 degree elbow at the service tee connection to 614 eureka avenue. Based upon the reno fire department incident report, natural gas leaking from the service tee appears to have traveled through a service trench into the basement of 624 eureka. The leaking gas was ignited in the basement by the furnace, exploded, and damaged the home. Two individuals were in the residence at the time of the explosion but no injuries were sustained. The cause of the failure is still under investigation and a supplemental report will be filed when the cause is determined. At 22:36 the nve duty supervisor on scene determined that the property damage costs would exceed $50,000. The initial notification to the national response center (nrc) was made at 22:49 and was given nrc incident report # 1207485. Nve provided an update to the nrc on march 23, 2018 at 15:44 and was given nrc incident report # 1207546. Supplemental update: further analysis has determined that the pipe-to-elbow joint failed due to overload from an external bending load and not due to a material or manufacturing defect associated with the pipes or fittings. The external bending load at the failed pipe-to-elbow joint occurred as a result of loading imparted to this joint during compaction around the temporary service connection. Nv energy's contractor was performing backfill and compaction activities on this temporary service connection one day prior to the incident occurring. Final update: analysis has concluded and the incident was caused by a leak from a crack in the black iron pipe used for the temporary service connection for the neighboring property 614 eureka avenue. The gas migrated into the basement of the incident house where it found an ignition source, most likely the house furnace. The direct cause of the crack in the pipe was mechanical overloading of the horizontal section of the temporary service connection. The mechanical overloading was likely caused during compaction of sand around the temporary service connection, due to insufficient cover (sand above the pipe) during compaction. |
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